If you have glaucoma, it's very frequently possible to improve
control of the pressure in the eye or eyes and reduce the amount of frequency of drugs
being used. Sometimes it's possible to control eye pressure without drugs. It's important
to be cautious, though, and check as often as necessary with your eye doctor, as well as
possibly with a doctor skilled and knowledgeable in nutritional medicine.

For some people, vitamin C can reduce eye pressure. I usually recommend
2 grams three times daily, in the sodium ascorbate form available in natural food stores.
Like most of the nutrients mentioned here, it takes weeks to tell it's made a difference.

A flavonoid called rutin, can help to some individuals. Try 50
milligrams twice daily and once again give it several weeks.

Since chromium levels have been found to be reduced in the red blood
cells of individuals with glaucoma, I usually ask people with this problem to take 600 to
1000 micrograms daily of chromium picolinate or chromium polynicotinate.

Another researcher has found low level of vitamin B, in the blood of
individuals with glaucoma. I usually end 50 milligrams, twice daily, most often a part of
a complete B-complex or multiple vitamin-mineral combination.

Remember, when using individual nutrients, it's best to also use a good
general multiple vitamin-mineral supplement also.

If you have glaucoma and know or suspect you have food allergies, it's
wise to check into this. Although not always helpful, for some people with glaucoma, food
allergy elimination is a major help.

In 1938, Dr. Emanuel Josephson, and ophthalmologist from New York City,
published a book concerning treatment of glaucoma. He used an extract of adrenal cortex,
the outer part of the adrenal glands, given by injection, along with a form of sodium
taken by mouth. He wrote that this treatment brought eye pressure down to normal
approximately half the time, including some relatively severe cases. At our clinic, we
sometimes combine this treatment with injectable vitamin C, chromium and vitamin Bl.
Although the nutrients certainly can be helpful when swallowed, for some individuals, they
work better when injected.

Injectable treatment must be done by a health care professional. For
the name of a doctor skilled and knowledgeable in nutritional therapy near you, you might
call the American College of Advancement in Medicine at 800-532-3688.

Glaucoma can occasionally be a very serious problem even leading to
loss of vision, so it's very important to pay attention to your doctors prescribed
treatment for as long as it's needed.

"Mainstream" medical treatment usually includes drugs in eye
drops which keep the eyeball pressure under control, oral drugs with the same purpose and
sometimes surgery to relieve the pressure. If you're taking drug treatment for glaucoma,
it's essential to continue monitoring your eye pressure with your eye doctor while working
with nutritional and natural therapies with a doctor knowledgeable and skilled in their
use.

Because of differences in age, sex, metabolism, or potential allergy,
these diet and supplement therapies may not be suitable for you. Consult a health care
professional skilled in nutritional and natural therapies. To locate one near you, you
might call the American College of Advancement in Medicine at 800-532-3688 or the American
Association of Naturopathic Physicians at 206-323-7610.